Introduction
Background
A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war for two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both World Wars. Since then, Sweden has pursued a successful economic formula consisting of a capitalist system intermixed with substantial welfare elements.
Geography
Area
total: 450,295 sq km
land: 410,335 sq km
water: 39,960 sq km
Climate
temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north
Natural resources
iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower
People and Society
Population
10,536,338 (2023 est.)
Ethnic groups
Swedish 79.6%, Syrian 1.9%, Iraqi 1.4%, Finnish 1.3%, other 15.8%
(2022 est.)Languages
Swedish (official)
Religions
Church of Sweden (Lutheran) 53.9%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 8.9%, none or unspecified 37.2% (2021 est.)
Population growth rate
0.51% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Capital
name: Stockholm
Executive branch
chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 15 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree (daughter of the monarch, born 14 July 1977)
head of government: Prime Minister Ulf KRISTERSSON (since 18 October 2022); Deputy Prime Minister Ebba BUSCH (since 18 October 2022)
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; 310 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by open party-list proportional representation vote and 39 members in "at-large" seats directly elected by open party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
Economy
Economic overview
high-income, knowledge-based economy; EU member but non-euro user (refuses to peg krona to euro); large welfare state that complements its free-market capitalism; high living standards, environmental protections, income and gender equality; rebounding well from COVID-19 disruptions
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$580.099 billion (2022 est.)
$564.124 billion (2021 est.)
$531.455 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$55,300 (2022 est.)
$54,200 (2021 est.)
$51,300 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products
wheat, milk, sugar beets, barley, potatoes, oats, rapeseed, pork, rye, triticale
Industries
iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles
Exports
$314.019 billion (2022 est.)
$299.365 billion (2021 est.)
$241.94 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
Germany 10%, Norway 9%, United States 8%, Denmark 8%, Finland 6% (2021)
Exports - commodities
cars and vehicle parts, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, lumber, iron, broadcasting equipment (2021)
Imports
$296.552 billion (2022 est.)
$268.334 billion (2021 est.)
$217.165 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
Germany 18%, Netherlands 9%, Norway 8%, China 7%, Denmark 7% (2021)
Imports - commodities
cars and vehicle parts, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, computers (2021)
Exchange rates
Swedish kronor (SEK) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
10.114 (2022 est.)
8.577 (2021 est.)
9.21 (2020 est.)
9.458 (2019 est.)
8.693 (2018 est.)
Page last updated: Tuesday, April 16, 2024
